IT would seem that Uptonupon- Severn is facing a series of battles that, should it fail to win, will destroy the hard work of the past few years in building its appeal as a place to visit.

The threat to its library is yet another gauntlet thrown down by Worcestershire County Council and Upton Town Council is being challenged to pick it up and pay the £25,000 shortfall in library funding or see its library sacrificed.

New parking rules – that have also angered most of Malvern – are an on-going skirmish that may see a January review soften things.

The removal of bus services – also condemned in other areas – will disadvantage those already disadvantaged.

So too will the closure of Upton’s library, not simply because there will be no books to borrow, but because of the added services it provides.

So, come April, will the Work Club that I volunteer to run be no more? Where will those unemployed, already heavily disadvantaged if they have no computer access, go to ‘sign on’?

The Jobcentre structure has changed. It is now internet based. Jobs are applied for on-line. The library has four computer terminals. Those I seek to support use those terminals to upload a CV, apply for jobs, submit activity reports so the Jobcentre doesn’t penalise them or take away their ‘allowance’.

If the buses go, they can’t get to Malvern to its library – that’s if that facility isn’t threatened.

Councillors need to reflect that cuts are not just about budgets; they are about people. Cut them and you are effectively attacking the people in your community.

Look to your own house, councillors – perhaps you’d like to slash your allowances to keep Upton library open, keep the buses running.

And, while you’re at it let’s look for a volunteer to be the next chief executive of the county council.

Think what we could do with that salary saving.

CHRIS MAIR Upton-upon-Severn